Excavations at Bateman's, East Sussex

Visit the garden at Bateman’s, the home of Rudyard Kipling, and see excavations in progress and hear the team explain more about their work.

While digging test pits to replant a pair of Irish Yew trees near the eastern gates in the front garden at Bateman's, the garden team made an unexpected discovery in the form of a large masonry foundation. We’re not sure exactly what the masonry represents yet, or what date it might be so we’re carrying out further digging this summer to find out more. Within the excavation, you’ll be able to see a line of brickwork, and the historic cable which Rudyard Kipling had installed, connecting the bell on the gatepost to the house. The gateposts themselves were constructed in the early 20th century but the masonry we’ve found doesn’t seem to relate to them so may be the remains of something earlier. We're hoping to shed more light on this enigmatic discovery!